C Section Vrs Vag Birth.

[Deleted User] · July 2012

I have heard horror and wonderful stories about both. So tell me your opinions and or experiences. TIA ETA: I am in general talking those who need a C Section, not just planning one for the heck of it.

CandaceLeigh · July 2012

Is there a medical reason you would need a c-section?

CTA7 · July 2012

While C sections are a wonderful option for women who need it, personally, I wouldn't voluntarily subject myself to major unnecessary surgery. Do you have a reason to think you cannot do a vaginal birth?

To answer your question, I had a vaginal birth with an epidural and thought it was fine (10 hour labor). I did have a 2nd degree tear which took a while to heal, but did not scar or physically restrict my movement while I was healing.

FrickandFrack · July 2012

I would not choose to have a C-Section if it wasn't medically necessary. I had a vag birth with a 4th degree tear and would still opt for that over the C-Section but that's because I'm terrified of having one.

Edit: I want to clarify that I know some women do not have a choice and end up with wonderful C-Section deliveries. I am not knocking that, I'm just terrified of them.

mopsie · July 2012

C-sections are major abdominal surgery, have a risk of infection, serious bleeding, lots of pain, scarring, etc.

If a vaginal birth is a safe option for you, I have no idea why you'd ever choose a c-section.

Randa&Jerm · July 2012

mopsie:

C-sections are major abdominal surgery, have a risk of infection, serious bleeding, lots of pain, scarring, etc.

If a vaginal birth is a safe option for you, I have no idea why you'd ever choose a c-section.

This. I have had 2 v births with no problem. I tore slightly with each, but recovery was very easy and with no problems. I would want to avoid a serious abdominal surgery at all costs unless there was a serious risk to me or the baby during delivery.

[Deleted User] · July 2012

I am in general talking those who need a C Section, not just planning one for the heck of it. I have heard just as many problems, such as bleeding and infection with vag birth as well. And scarring is really the last of my concern.

mopsie · July 2012

Jessii266:
I am in general talking those who need a C Section, not just planning one for the heck of it. I have heard just as many problems, such as bleeding and infection with vag birth as well. And scarring is really the last of my concern.

If you need a C-section, you need a C-section. There's no point in comparing C-section vs. vaginal delivery if one is not an option for you.

Bleeding and infection is a risk with both types of delivery, but with a vaginal delivery the infection is really limited to the vagina/perineum and possibly the uterus, whereas with a C-section you're cutting through the abdominal wall and there is a lot more involved tissue to get infected. Bleeding with vaginal delivery is only really an issue if the placenta doesn't cleanly detach from the uterus, which is why they will inspect the placenta to make sure it's completely detached. If there's a blood vessel that sticks to the wall of the uterus, then that can pose serious bleeding/clotting issues, but any well-trained OB/midwife will know what to look for and how to fix it. C-sections have a much higher risk of bleeding issues because of so much tissue that has to be cut to access the uterus (i.e. several layers of tissue, fat, muscle, etc).

cmr5776 · July 2012

I had an emergency c/s with DS - 3 days past due date, low amnio, pitocin did not progress dilation and the cord was wrapped around his feet - kept losing his hb even with probe inserted into his head while still in womb... and I had absolutely no issues with the healing process - the only difficulty was figuring out how to bf. Sure, I was sore, but I was so thankful he made it!

With this baby, my ob and I are discussing which route we want to take and I'm leaning toward another c/s. It's totally a personal decision and I'm sure there are +/- for each that run the spectrum.

CandaceLeigh · July 2012

Jessii266:
I am in general talking those who need a C Section, not just planning one for the heck of it. I have heard just as many problems, such as bleeding and infection with vag birth as well. And scarring is really the last of my concern.

I don't know why it is, but it seems the ladies with the most extreme birth stories are the ones who love to share them with EVERY mom they meet. My birth story with DD wasn't pretty, but I rarely share it with others for the simple fact that I don't want to scare people. You hear it a bunch, but every birth is different and you can't compare my experiences to your potential experiences. There can be all types of complications with either type of delivery, but it helps to educate yourself on all aspects of the birthing process. There are many women around the area that I live that choose c-section or induction for planning purposes; they "need" to know the exact date their baby will arrive. I disagree with this approach, but to each their own. My best advice is to educate yourself and make decisions accordingly.

tngrl3 · July 2012

CandaceLeigh:
Is there a medical reason you would need a c-section?

There are several. Placenta previa, preeclampsia, breech baby, ....

CandaceLeigh · July 2012

tngrl3:

CandaceLeigh:
Is there a medical reason you would need a c-section?

There are several. Placenta previa, preeclampsia, breech baby, ....

Sorry. I was asking the OP if she had a specific medical reason. Could have worded that a little better!

mocknine · July 2012

I had an unplanned c-section with DD. Physically the surgery went great, I healed well, and the aftermath was not as bad as I have other women having. EMOTIONALLY, I am a mess. It is hard to put in words what it feels like to have a c-section, when your whole life you imagined a vaginal birth. I feel robbed. I will try for a VBAC this time around, but am more prepared emotionally that a c-section is not far from the horizon.

KristaNbHam · July 2012

I had an unplanned C/S and it went very well! I went in for an induced vaginal birth, got to 6cm before getting my epidural, but the baby's heart rate dropped with every contraction. She had the cord wrapped around her neck and she couldn't be pushed any further.

The C/S was awesome, but I am very good with pain. I had them remove my morphine within 7 hours of giving birth so that I could get up and walk around. It was hard, but I did it so that it would get easier faster.

People say negative things about C/S all the time, but I don't feel that I was robbed of anything or upset about what happened. I had a healthy baby, and that is all that matters. The only thing that I am having a hard time with is shaving my lady bits. The scar makes it difficult because I can't feel any of my skin above the scar. I went and got laser hair removal, and it has really helped.

weebos8 · July 2012

I had an induced, med-free vaginal birth. For me it was perfect (although I hope to not have to be induced this time) but I did need about 10-15 stitches for a tear.

Surgery really scares me so if I had the option, I would go for a vaginal birth over a c-section.

lavet22 · July 2012

Randa&Jerm:
mopsie:

C-sections are major abdominal surgery, have a risk of infection, serious bleeding, lots of pain, scarring, etc.

If a vaginal birth is a safe option for you, I have no idea why you'd ever choose a c-section.

This. I have had 2 v births with no problem. I tore slightly with each, but recovery was very easy and with no problems. I would want to avoid a serious abdominal surgery at all costs unless there was a serious risk to me or the baby during delivery.

This exactly for me as well. I had 3 stitches with DS1 and just a minor tear that didn't require stitches with DS2. Both recoveries were pretty easy. I would never opt for a csection unless it was in an emergency situation.

SLHurst11 · July 2012

I had an unplanned CS with DS. Induced due to unexplained physical problems, his heart rate was dropping with even the tiniest contractions, so they said they wanted to get him out fast. I was fine with it, though very surprised with how quickly they rolled me into the OR for the surgery. It was only about 5 minutes from when they said we'd do a CS to when it was actually occuring.

Recovery was pretty nice, much easier than I thought. I was on my feet within a couple hours. We opted for a repeat CS this time, because far too many little issues could result in CS anyway. I figured, why go through (possibly) hours of labor if there were so many chances it would end up CS anyway?

columbiamommy · July 2012

I had a failed induction and ended up needing an emergency c/s with DD. It was rough because I didn't sleep much the night before because I was so uncomfortable in the hospital.

With DS I decided that if I went into labor on my own, I would try for a VBAC. Never happened, so I had a planned c/s. It was much easier. Recovery wasn't really bad with either. I didn't have any complications either time.

I'm going for a planned c/s this time around because I'm comfortable with it. If I was able to go into labor on my own and/or had given birth, I would definitely try for a vaginal birth.

3litttlebirds · July 2012

I found out since becoming pregnant that I will likely have to have a c-section because, due to a bicornuate uterus, the baby will probably be breech. That was hard to take at first because I was planning to take the Bradley Method courses and aim for a natural birth. So I've since started trying to read up positive stories on the c-section board and tried to realize that it's not the end of the world. For me, I don't think I will feel robbed of a vaginal birth experience (because really, how fun is that either?), but I am definitely scared of the surgery. I'm trying to prepare myself for it and am, in a way, glad that I found out early on that a c-section may be what I need, so I can have time to prepare for it the best that I can. Sure, a c-section is not ideal and there are more risks involved in general, but I try to keep in mind that there are horror stories either way. Some women have horrible vaginal birth experiences, some have relatively easy c-section experiences and vice versa. So no one else's experiences dictates what mine is going to be. I try to keep in mind all the women who have successful c-sections everyday (even, though, yes, I realize the recovery is longer). It's scary, but in the end, if you don't have a choice, you just have to hope for the best and know that it's more likely than not that you will get through it. Even if it ends up not being the greatest experience, you will get through it in time. Also, I hear that scheduled c-sections are much more favorable over an emergency c-sections. Good luck!

kaileyc · July 2012

I know a lot of people are very against c-sections for a variety of reasons. I just wanted to point out that some of us are just as terrified of tearing from a vaginal delivery as others are of having abdominal surgery. I've had abdominal surgery before, so I have a vague idea of what it will be like. I however have not given birth. For me a vaginal delivery is so much scarier than the prospect of a c-section. But that's just my personal opinion.

benoitfan · July 2012

I delivered my DS vaginally at 40w4d. I laboured for 12 hrs and had an epi after 1.5hrs due to extreme back labour. My son was in posterior postion and did not completely turn before delivery. I pushed for 49mins and the doc said, I had one more push to get DS out, or he would be forced to use high foreceps because baby was in distress. I did not want a foreceps delivery, but I had a really hard time getting DS past my pubic bone. When I finally did get him past my pubic bone, the cord was wrapped around his neck and I had to stop pushing so they could take care of that. One more push and DS was born.

He was a big baby. 9lbs, I had a bad tear and DS broke my tailbone on the way out. My tailbone healed crookedly and still gives me pain to this day. My stitches fell out of my tear after 3 days and it took over 6wks for that to heal.

Due to my experience last time, my chronic tailbone issues and the fact that this baby is again measuring 7-9days ahead my doc and I are considering a C/s this time around. He said in a case like mine a 6wk recovery from a c/s could be significantly shorter and less painful than a recovery from a vaginal birth with tailbone issues.

Even though I had a difficult vaginal delivery, if you can do it that way, you should at least try. It is amazing to see what your body is capable of and push out your baby out. C/s are sugery and shouldn't be entered into lightly.

kaileyc · July 2012

Kirbus:

kaileyc:
I know a lot of people are very against c-sections for a variety of reasons. I just wanted to point out that some of us are just as terrified of tearing from a vaginal delivery as others are of having abdominal surgery. I've had abdominal surgery before, so I have a vague idea of what it will be like. I however have not given birth. For me a vaginal delivery is so much scarier than the prospect of a c-section. But that's just my personal opinion.

But chances are you won't even tear, and if you do, it won't be bad at all. It's not a walk in the park, but it's not bad. I mean, a 3rd or 4th degree tear must suck, but they're not very common. I wouldn't chose to have surgery to just because I was scared of the what ifs, kwim?

I understand your point about choosing to have surgery. As far as not tearing, every one of the women in my group of friends that has had a vaginal delivery had at least a 3rd degree tear. Some had episotomies (sp?) some didn't. In fact only two of the many women I've asked about their deliveries didn't tear.

At the end of the day we will all have these babies one way or another. All I was saying was that I personally am more scared about a vaginal delivery. That, most likely won't change until I've had a vaginal delivery (if that is how it works out for me).

chpswife · July 2012

I had to have an emergency C section after being in labor 36 hours, baby was face down and heart rate dropped.....my recovery was hard as I had spinal fluid leak that no one noticed, exhaustion etc......however I would follow your doctors advice and not just plan on it.....I have to have another c section with this one as dr doesn't do VBAC and the nearest hospital that does is 1.5 hrs away.......though recovery may be easier with this one don't plan on surgery unless absolutely necessary.....

starfish717 · July 2012

kaileyc:
I know a lot of people are very against c-sections for a variety of reasons. I just wanted to point out that some of us are just as terrified of tearing from a vaginal delivery as others are of having abdominal surgery. I've had abdominal surgery before, so I have a vague idea of what it will be like. I however have not given birth. For me a vaginal delivery is so much scarier than the prospect of a c-section. But that's just my personal opinion.

I think I'm in this boat right now, too. Abdominal surgery? Yes, it's a serious operation, but at least I know what it's about and it seems familiar to me. Vaginal tearing? Eek, scary, unknown and it sounds terrible!

This is probably because I'm a FTM and thinking about vaginal tearing makes me squirm, but I would still prefer to avoid a c-section (and while I'm at it, ideally avoid tearing, too!) )

meco17 · July 2012

I ended in a csection with my daughter..she was "sunny side up" and after 30+ hours it just wasn't happening. Surgery was fine..sure I was sore but manageable. You can hardly see my scar and even if you could its super low so its not like you would see it even in a bikini so no big deal. I am going to opt for another csection this time as well because the risks of vbac scare me...I know what im facing with another section.

alexisftm83 · July 2012

I just attended a "sunny side up" drug-free birth with no tearing! Mom delivered with a midwife in a hospital. She pushed for a few hours but the slow progression of the baby and the midwife's perineal massage helped keep her perinium intact. I have attended quite a few births (mostly drug-free) and have never seen a third or fourth degree tear. If your concerns about a vaginal delivery are tearing or being cut an episiotomy, talk to your health care provider and ask about their episiotomy rate. Studies have shown episiotomies are ONLY necessary if a baby needs to be born immediately. Ask your provided if they can do perineal massage or place hot compresses while you are pushing to help the tissue stretch and avoid major tears. C-sections can save lives but when not medically necessary they should be avoided.

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